2008 Annual Report from the Chair of the BCWWA Water Sustainability Committee
Note to Reader:
In 2003, the Water Sustainability Committee (WSC), a technical committee of the British Columbia Water & Waste Association (BCWWA), embarked on a partnership with the Province and others to develop and implement the Water Sustainability Action Plan for British Columbia.
Presented below is a report from Raymond Fung, WSC Chair, that summarizes what was accomplished in Year 4 of the Action Plan implementation program.
Our Vision
Stewardship of a limited and vital resource, actively supported by an aware and educated citizenry.
Our Mission
To facilitate the move toward a more sustainable approach to water resource management – at all levels from the province to the household.
Our Members
- Raymond Fung, Chair
- Ted van der Gulik, Vice-Chair
- Mike Tanner, Vice-Chair
- Kim Stephens, Program Coordinator
- Peter Andzans
- Graeme Bethell
- Glen Brown
- Eric Bonham
- Patrick Condon
- Fiona Crofton
- Don Enns
- Robert Hicks
- Erik Karlsen
- Lynn Kriwoken
- Gevan Mattu
- Dave Palidwor
- Ron Smith
- Rick Truong
- Neal Klassen (Conservation Corner)
Our Program: Water Sustainability Action Plan for British Columbia
Developed in 2003-2004 by BCWWA through a partnership with the Provincial government, the Water Sustainability Action Plan for British Columbia covers an array of on-the-ground initiatives that advance an approach to community planning and development that is water-centric. The Action Plan has since evolved into a comprehensive program called Convening for Action, formally launched in February 2005.
The Convening for Action objective is to move towards water sustainability in BC by implementing green infrastructure policies, practices and standards. The goal is to reach out to land and water practitioners and educate them about practices that better balance the relationship between settlement activity and ecological assets in local and regional landscapes.
Selection of 2007 Accomplishments
Listed below are highlights covering Vancouver Island, Metro Vancouver, outreach presentations and publications.
CAVI – Convening for Action on Vancouver Island
Implemented Year One of the Convening for Action on Vancouver Island (CAVI) initiative, a three-year program through a partnership with the Real Estate Foundation of British Columbia, the Ministry of Environment, and the Ministry of Community Services including:
- Creating Our Future: What will Vancouver Island look like in 50 years? – a consultation workshop organized as an adjunct event to the Gaining Ground Leadership Summit held in Victoria, June 2007;
- Showcasing Green Infrastructure Innovation on Vancouver Island: Designing with Nature, in collaboration with the Regional District of Nanaimo and City of Nanaimo, September, 2007;
Showcasing Green Infrastructure Innovation on Vancouver Island: Partnerships & Collaboration – moving from Concept to Reality, in collaboration with Cowichan Valley Regional District, District of North Cowichan, and City of Duncan, September, 2007;- Showcasing Green Infrastructure Innovation on Vancouver Island: Connecting to Sustainability, in collaboration with Comox-Strathcona Regional District and City of Courtenay, October, 2007;
- Green Infrastructure Leadership Forum: A Positive Settlement Strategy for Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities – What could it look like? – a consultation event for local government, in partnership with the Vancouver Island Association of Coastal Communities, held in Nanaimo, December, 2007;
Showcasing Green Infrastructure Innovation in Metro Vancouver
As part of the Green Infrastructure Partnership (BCWWA, West Coast Environmental Law, Master Municipal Construction Documents, and Ministry of Community Services), conducted Showcasing Green Infrastructure Innovation in Metro Vancouver:
Conducted a one day seminar entitled, “Beyond the Guidebook: Resources and Successes for Protecting Stream Health,” in collaboration with the Green Infrastructure Partnership and the Inter-Governmental Water Balance Model Partnership, delivered through the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia, November, 2007;
Outreach Presentations
Presented a paper entitled, “Dealing with Uncertainty and Managing Risk: How we can adapt water management systems,” as part of a panel session at a Fraser Basin Council Workshop entitled, “Preparing for Climate Change in the Fraser Basin,” in November, 2007;
Delivered a half-day session entitled, “Water Sustainability: Convening for Action in British Columbia” at the BCWWA 2007 AGM and Conference, held in Penticton, April, 2007;
Represented BCWWA at workshop entitled, “Water Governance in Transition: utility restructuring and water efficiency in Ontario,” conducted by UBC Program on Water Governance, April, 2007
Publications
Provided the water sustainability component of the South Okanagan Regional Growth Strategy, a water-centric pilot for action in British Columbia, through a partnership with the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen;
Published an article entitled, “Water Sustainability: from Awareness to Action in British Columbia,” in Environmental Science and Engineering, September, 2007;
Published an article entitled, “Convening for Action on Vancouver Island: creating our future, one conversation at a time,” in Watermark, Fall, 2007;
Continued “Conservation Corner” column in each issue of Watermark through 2007.
Change in Chair
“The WSC will see changes in 2008, as I step down and Glen Brown serves as the new Chair. It has truly been an honour working with the Committee, and I wish to thank each member for their support over the last five years. Last, but certainly not least, my thanks to Kim Stephens, who poured so many hours into the Committee’s work,” concluded Raymond Fung, Water Sustainability Committee Chair, in his 2008 Annual Report.